I've discovered that I love creating things in the kitchen. I won't do it blindly, but if I have a recipe, it's inevitable that I'll follow most of it and then do my own thing towards the end.
Last weekend we had friends over for dinner. I wanted to make something new--which seems uncharacteristic, but I was getting really tired of the old standbys.
I found a recipe for spinach and ham lasagna with white sauce and I knew that was the dish. As Les and I had been talking about what veggies were available on the farm, I gave her a call about some basil (for something else) and asked about spinach. Turned out, she had beet greens, which taste exactly the same.
I made the lasagna according to the recipe, substituting beet greens for spinach, and then adding in some broccoli and mushrooms for substance. It was a hit.
Since Leslie has been talking about basil so much these days (the farm is overflowing, apparently), we both wondered about making pesto. I love pesto, but hadn't had it in a long time and found out in my research that nearly ALL pesto has some sort of nut. That, in and of itself, excludes it from my diet. Unless we start messing with the recipes.
Les tried her hand at it today -- making two batches -- one for me, nutless, and one for her, with nuts. She also brought over some zucchini and a tiny misshapen yellow squash. As the pasta was cooking for dinner, I decided to saute some onion with the zucchini and squash. When it was almost done, I threw in some leftover mushrooms. I tossed the pesto with the veggies and pasta and voila! a new dish was born. It was GOOO-OOOD.
I never would have guessed myself a cook-type. I never had any interest. But it turns out, it's really fun and making stuff up is phenomenal!
Tomorrow I get to try my hand at the Amish Friendship bread. I've had it stewing on my counter for 10 days. I found a blog that listed the innumerable varieties that you can make, simply by changing the flavor of pudding, or adding cream cheese, different spices or fruits or toppings. Sounds awesome. I'm so glad it's the gift that keeps on giving, so that I can try out as many different kinds as possible. Sweet!
Let me know if you want some. It'll be in my freezer.
3 comments:
That lasagna sounds great. I hope I enjoy cooking, because something tells me Philip isn't an undiscovered chef.
You are hilarious, Margaret. I bet you will find at least parts of it enjoyable. Maybe it'll grow on you.
By the way, the bread did NOT turn out. First thing I've ever made that was a disaster. I was so mad b/c it took so many ingredients and it was all a waste. Oh well. I doubt I'll be trying that again.
Hey! We just made some victory Acres pesto (Ava and I not Phil!). Love it! I have to share that my first attempt at yeast rolls... disaster!! Hockey pucks. Ticked me off!! Ha ha! I had to go get rolls from Kroger for a Christmas dinner. I have not tried them again. Glad you're having fun cooking! It is something I love to do as long as someone else (enter Phil) is around to clean up!!
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